Armin Strom has built its identity on one of horology's most demanding propositions: resonance, practically applied. The Biel/Bienne manufacture has spent years refining the principle of two synchronized balance wheels operating in harmonic resonance, producing movements that are as compelling to watch as they are technically rigorous. With the new Minute Repeater Resonance 12:59 First Edition for Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, the brand takes that architecture further than ever before by pairing its patented resonance clutch with a fully developed Westminster chiming minute repeater, all within a 42 mm case in titanium.
Things to Know About the Watch
The 12:59 designation isn't arbitrary. It refers to the longest possible chiming strike sequence that any minute repeater mechanism can produce with 12 strikes for the hours, three strikes for the quarters, and fourteen strikes for the minutes. For the new Armin Strom watch, the wearer can play this sequence on demand via the dedicated slider at 9 o'clock. A real treat for those of us who appreciate chiming timepieces.
That selector toggles between two distinct modes: standard timekeeping chime and the full 12:59 sequence, with the active function confirmed by a very discreet—and somewhat hard to see—aperture that shows white or red depending on the selected mode. It's a genuinely playful piece of interaction design for a watch that could otherwise feel purely technical. The openworked 42 mm titanium case is 11.70 mm thick, and is water-resistant to 50 meters. The watch is limited to 25 pieces.
The Movement
The Armin Strom Minute Repeater Resonance 12:59 First Edition is powered by the in-house manual-wound calibre ARR25. This is an entirely new movement, built around Armin Strom's patented resonance clutch, which synchronizes two fully independent regulating systems, each with its own barrel, gear train, escapement, and balance wheel.
The minute repeater mechanism adds four hammers and four gongs, producing a Westminster chime sequence, governed by a flying governor visible on the dial side. The column wheel system manages mode switching between the two striking functions. Beating at 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz) and composed of 506 parts, the watch offers a 40-hour power reserve when fully wound. Finishing is comprehensive: mirror-polished hammers and gongs against a frosted mainplate, hand-beveled edges throughout, Côtes de Genève, and circular graining on the case back side.
On the Wrist & Price
The titanium case is more accessible than Armin Strom's earlier Masterpiece references, and the titanium construction keeps the weight very light for a movement of this density. The total weight of the watch—including the strap—is only 51 grams, which is extremely light and impressive for such a complex timepiece.
The composition prioritizes legibility of the mechanical architecture—the resonance clutch animates upward, the twin balances anchor the dial side, and the flying governor provides constant visual confirmation that the striking sequence is running true. For collectors who want resonance and a repeater in one movement, there is simply nothing else quite like it.
Sticker Price CHF 390,000—approx. USD 500,000. For more info on Armin Strom, click here.
